Putter Head

ABSTRACT

A golf putter head includes a body having an external surface, an internal surface, and a cavity defined by the internal surface, the external surface having a front side configured to contact a golf ball and a top side configured to receive a shaft; and an insert configured to be disposed within the cavity of the body, the insert having a first material comprising an elastomer and a shock absorbing element at least partially encapsulated within the first material.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/979,769, filed May 15, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/506,375 filed May 15, 2017, theentireties of which are incorporated herein for any and all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a golf club, andspecifically to golf club putters and gold club putter heads.

BACKGROUND

In golf, putting is the process of making short, low-speed strokes tohit a golf ball. Unlike other strokes (for example, driving), putting isintended to move the ball by rolling more slowly along the ground ratherthan hitting it long distances through the air. Many different types ofgolf putters exist. Putters may have various specifications, such asdifferent head shapes and sizes, balance distribution, overall weight,striking surface materials, inserts, and shaft placement. Some stylesand specifications have generally-accepted advantages and disadvantages,and often depend on golfing terrain, ball placement, and distance to thehole. However, many times the choice of style of a putter comes down touser preference.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a golf putter head includes a body having an externalsurface, an internal surface, and a cavity defined by the internalsurface. The external surface has a front side configured to contact agolf ball and a top side configured to receive a shaft. The golf putterhead further includes an insert configured to be disposed within thecavity of the body. The insert has a first material comprising anelastomer and a shock absorbing element at least partially encapsulatedwithin the first material.

In another embodiment, a device for striking a ball includes a bodyhaving an external surface, an internal surface, and a receptacleconfigured to receive and fixedly secure a shaft. The external surfacehas a striking surface configured to contact the ball. The devicefurther includes a cavity defined by the internal surface, the cavityhaving an opening extending through the body to the external surface,such that the opening is defined by the internal surface and theexternal surface. The device also includes a first material having anepoxy disposed within the cavity and a second material disposed withinthe cavity and at least partially within the first material. The devicefurther includes a cover configured to sealably engage the body suchthat the opening in the cavity is closed.

In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a golf club headincludes positioning a golf club head body having a cavity therein suchthat at least a portion of the cavity is open and extends through thegolf club head body, introducing into the cavity a first material,introducing into the cavity a second material that is different from thefirst material, such that the first material at least partiallysurrounds the second material, and sealing the cavity such that thefirst material and the second material are secured within the cavity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present application is further understood when read in conjunctionwith the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the subjectmatter, there are shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments of thesubject matter; however, the presently disclosed subject matter is notlimited to the specific methods, devices, and systems disclosed.Furthermore, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a putter head according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric cross-sectional view of the putter headof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric exploded view of the putter head ofFIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of the putter head of FIGS.1-3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the putter head ofFIGS. 1-4 along plane B-B shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top-down cross-sectional view of the putter head ofFIGS. 1-5;

FIG. 7 illustrates a front perspective cross-sectional view of theputter along plane A-A shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates a front perspective view of the putter head of FIGS.1-7 shown without a cover;

FIG. 9A illustrates an isometric exploded view of a putter headaccording to another embodiment;

FIG. 9B illustrates an isometric view of the putter head of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 9C illustrates a cut-away isometric view of the putter head ofFIGS. 9A and 9B;

FIG. 9D illustrates a top-down through-view of the putter head of FIGS.9A-9C;

FIG. 9E illustrates a cross-sectional view of the putter head alongplane A-A shown in FIG. 9D;

FIG. 9F illustrates a front perspective view of the putter head of FIGS.9A-9E;

FIG. 9G illustrates a cross-sectional view of the putter head alongplane B-B shown in FIG. 9F;

FIG. 10 illustrates an isometric exploded view of a putter headaccording to another embodiment;

FIG. 11A illustrates an isometric view of a putter head according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11B illustrates an isometric cross-sectional view of the putterhead of FIG. 11A;

FIG. 11C illustrates an exploded isometric view of the putter head ofFIGS. 11A and 11B;

FIG. 11D illustrates a top-down through-view of the putter head of FIGS.11A-11C;

FIG. 11E illustrates a cross-sectional view along plane A-A shown inFIG. 11D;

FIG. 11F illustrates a cross-sectional view along plane B-B shown inFIG. 11E;

FIG. 11G illustrates a cross-sectional view of the putter head of FIGS.11A-11E;

FIG. 12 illustrates an isometric exploded view of a putter headaccording to another embodiment;

FIG. 13 illustrates a front cross-sectional view of the putter of FIG.12;

FIG. 14 illustrates a putter head according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 15A illustrates a putter head according to another embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 15B illustrates an isometric cross-sectional view of the putterhead of FIG. 15A;

FIG. 15C illustrates an isometric exploded view of the putter head ofFIGS. 15A and 15B;

FIG. 15D illustrates a top perspective through-view of the putter headof FIGS. 15A-15C;

FIG. 15E illustrates a cross-sectional view along plane A-A shown inFIG. 15D;

FIG. 15F illustrates a cross-sectional view along plane B-B shown inFIG. 15E;

FIG. 15G illustrates a front perspective cross-sectional view of theputter head of FIGS. 15A-15F;

FIG. 16A illustrates a putter head according to another embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 16B illustrates an isometric exploded view of the putter head ofFIG. 16A; and

FIG. 16C illustrates an isometric cross-sectional view of the putterhead of FIGS. 16A and 16B;

FIG. 16D illustrates a front perspective cross-sectional view of theputter head of FIGS. 16A-16C;

FIG. 16E illustrates a top perspective cross-sectional view of theputter head of FIGS. 16A-16D;

FIG. 16F illustrates a cross-sectional view of the putter head alongplane A-A shown in FIG. 16E;

FIG. 16G illustrates a cross-sectional view of the putter head alongplane B-B shown in FIG. 16F;

FIG. 17A illustrates an isometric view of a putter head according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 17B illustrates an isometric cross-sectional view of the putterhead of FIG. 17A;

FIG. 17C illustrates an isometric exploded view of the putter head ofFIGS. 17A and 17B;

FIG. 17D illustrates a front perspective cross-sectional view of theputter head of FIGS. 17A-17C;

FIG. 17E illustrates a top perspective cross-sectional view of theputter head of FIGS. 17A-17D;

FIG. 17F illustrates a cross-sectional view of the putter head alongplane A-A shown in FIG. 17E; and

FIG. 17G illustrates a cross-sectional view of the putter head alongplane B-B shown in FIG. 17F.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Aspects of the disclosure will now be described in detail with referenceto the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like elementsthroughout, unless specified otherwise. Certain terminology is used inthe following description for convenience only and is not limiting.

The term “plurality,” as used herein, means more than one. The singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference, and referenceto a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value,unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, areference to “a material” is a reference to at least one of suchmaterials and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, andso forth.

The transitional terms “comprising,” “consisting essentially of” and“consisting” are intended to connote their generally in acceptedmeanings in the patent vernacular; that is, (i) “comprising,” which issynonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” isinclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecitedelements or method steps; (ii) “consisting of” excludes any element,step, or ingredient not specified in the claim; and (iii) “consistingessentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified materialsor steps “and those that do not materially affect the basic and novelcharacteristic(s” of the claimed invention. Embodiments described interms of the phrase “comprising” (or its equivalents), also provide, asembodiments, those which are independently described in terms of“consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”

The term “substantially centered” as used herein in reference to twoelements with respect to each other includes the one element being closeto, but not exactly, centered relative to the other element, as well asthe one element being exactly centered relative to the other element.

When values are expressed as approximations by use of the antecedent“about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms anotherembodiment. In general, use of the term “about” indicates approximationsthat can vary depending on the desired properties sought to be obtainedby the disclosed subject matter and is to be interpreted in the specificcontext in which it is used, based on its function, and the personskilled in the art will be able to interpret it as such. In some cases,the number of significant figures used for a particular value may be onenon-limiting method of determining the extent of the word “about.” Inother cases, the gradations used in a series of values may be used todetermine the intended range available to the term “about” for eachvalue. Where present, all ranges are inclusive and combinable. That is,reference to values stated in ranges includes each and every valuewithin that range.

When a list is presented, unless stated otherwise, it is to beunderstood that each individual element of that list, and everycombination of that list, is a separate embodiment. For example, a listof embodiments presented as “A, B, or C” is to be interpreted asincluding the embodiments, “A,” “B,” “C,” “A or B,” “A or C,” “B or C,”or “A, B, or C.”

Throughout this specification, words are to be afforded their normalmeaning as would be understood by those skilled in the relevant art.However, so as to avoid misunderstanding, the meanings of certain termswill be specifically defined or clarified.

Different golf strokes affect the ball in different ways, and puttinghas specific mechanics associated with it. When a ball is putted, itfirst skids a distance before it begins a pure roll. In some aspects, itmay be advantages to have a minimum percentage of skid and maximumpercentage of roll to control the direction of the putt and the distancethat the ball travels.

Minimum skid may be obtained by striking the top of the ball with thebottom of the putter face. This situation gets the ball into pure rollquickly, but the impact imparts no loft to the putt. This may not alwaysbe advantageous. Such striking mechanics cause the ball to bouncebecause it is driven into the ground and not lifted slightly up and ontothe grass. The final result is that direction and distance control issuboptimal. An alternative mechanism with similar disadvantages mayinclude striking the ball at an angle of approximately zero degrees fromthe horizontal (0 degrees loft). A preferred method of putting isdescribed herein, in which the ball has a minimal skid and maximum roll,resulting in better control for the ball travel distance and direction.

Multiple embodiments of a golf putter are described throughout thisapplication. According to some embodiments, a golf putter head 100 mayinclude a body 110 and an insert 140 insertable into the body 110.Referring to FIGS. 1-8, the body 110 has an outer surface 112, an innersurface 114, a cavity 130 defined by the inner surface 114, and anopening 132 fluidly connecting the outer surface 112 to the innersurface 114. As a person skilled in the art would appreciate, the body110 may have various shapes and configurations that may be useful in thegolfing discipline. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-8, the body 110has a front face 116, a top face 118, a bottom face 120 parallel to thetop face 118, and a back face 122 that contacts the front face 116, thetop face 118, and the bottom face 120.

In some embodiments, the body 110 may include a striking surface 126configured to contact a golf ball (not shown). The striking surface 126may be part of the integral body, or it may be a separate unit thatfixedly secures to the body. The striking surface 126 may includestructural features (not shown), such as dimples, ridges, notches,protrusions, or other structural elements useful in improving themechanisms of striking a golf ball.

Alternatively, the striking surface 126 may be devoid of any additionalfeatures and may be substantially the same as the outer surface 112 ofthe body.

In some embodiments, the striking surface 126 may be disposed on thebody 110 such that it forms different angles relative to a referencepoint. The striking surface 126 may be manufactured to create variouslie angles measured from the shaft (not shown) of the golf club to theplaying surface (not shown). Additionally, the striking surface 126 maybe manufactured to have various loft angles measured from the plane inwhich the striking surface lies and the playing surface. It will beunderstood that various lie and loft angle combinations may be used andthat any particular lie or loft angle described herein is not meant tolimit the disclosure.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-8, the body 110 may also include areceptacle 128 on the outer surface 112 configured to receive the shaft(not shown). The receptacle 128 may be placed on the body 110 such thatthe shaft forms an angle measured between the shaft and the putter head100. The receptacle 128 may be disposed on various portions of the body110, and the placement of the receptacle 128 may depend on size, shape,and/or the desired use of the golf putter head 100 and on the handedness(i.e. right- or left-handed) of the user. An alternative embodiment isdepicted in FIG. 14 that shows the receptacle 128 being located at adifferent portion of the outer surface 112 than in FIGS. 1-8.

In some embodiments, a cavity 130 may be defined inside the body 110.The cavity 130 may be defined to have various shapes. Referring to FIGS.1-25, the cavity may be generally rectangular prismatic. In someembodiments, the cavity may be disposed in different locations withinthe body. As shown in the illustrative embodiment of FIGS. 1-8, thecavity 130 is substantially centered within the body 110 when looking inthe direction perpendicular to the striking surface 126. In someembodiments, the cavity 130 may be disposed in a different location inthe body. Different placement may affect characteristics of the golfputter use, for example its weight distribution and balance. In someembodiments, the cavity may be larger than depicted in the illustrativeembodiments, and it may be disposed in different locations within thebody. It will be understood that the volume, shape, and positioning ofthe cavity may affect characteristics of the golf putter head, and anydescribed or illustrated example embodiments are not intended to limitthis disclosure.

The body 110 further includes an opening 132 on the outer surface 112that places the outer surface 112 and the inner surface 114 in fluidcommunication. The opening 132 may provide a passage to the cavity 130inside the body 110. The opening 132 may be disposed on variouslocations on the body. In some embodiments, the opening 132 may bedefined by the front face 116 of the body. In another embodiment, theopening may be defined by the top face 118 of the body. A body 110 mayinclude a plurality of openings 132, and each of the openings may be onthe same face, on different faces, or a combination of placements.

The body 110 may further include a cover 124 configured to be placedonto or into the opening 132 on the body 110. The cover 124 may bepositioned such that when it is affixed to the body, the inner surface114 defining the cavity 130 does not fluidly contact the outer surface112 of the body. As illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-8, thecover 124 may include the striking surface 126. Alternatively, the cover124 may be separate from the striking surface 126. As shown in FIGS.9A-9G, in some embodiments, the opening 132 and the cover 124 aredisposed on the top face 118, while the striking surface 126 is disposedon the front face 116.

The cover 124 may be fixedly attached to the body via fasteners,adhesives, or mechanical interaction of structural features. Suitablemethods of attachment include, but are not limited to, glues, epoxies,nails, screws, rivets, protrusions with grooves, or interferencesbetween structural elements. When attached, the cover may be flush withthe outer surface of the body. In some embodiments, the cover 124 may bedesigned to be easily removable to expose the cavity 130 within thebody. Alternatively, the cover 124 may be designed to be securely fixedto the body such that the cavity 130 is not easily accessible withouttools and/or damage to the body and/or cover.

As a person skilled in the art would appreciate, the body may havevarious shapes and configurations that may be useful in the golfingdiscipline. For example, the body may have a generally rectangular,semi-circular, or trapezoidal cross-section, or it may be anothersuitable cross-sectional shape. Referring to FIGS. 1-8, for example, thebody 110 may have a semi-circular cross section. The body may bemanufactured with various dimensions. In some embodiments, the strikingsurface 126 may have a length of up to about 6 inches and a height of upto about 3 inches. Referring to the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1,the body 110 may be about 4 inches in length in the x-direction, about 1inch in height in the y-direction, and about 3 inches deep in thez-direction. The body 110 may be about 4.6875 inches in the x-direction,about 1.25 inches in the y-direction, and about 1.25 inches in thez-direction. In some embodiments, manufacturing tolerances may be ±0.01inches. In other embodiments, manufacturing tolerances may be ±0.005inches. The depicted dimensions and tolerances are illustrative only andare not meant to limit the scope of this disclosure. It will beunderstood that the body may have different dimensions and that thisdisclosure is not limited to a specific body size or shape. In someembodiments, for example, the body may be approximately 4 inches in thex-direction, approximately 3 inches in the z-direction, andapproximately 1 inch in the y-direction. The body may alternatively beapproximately 4 inches in the x-direction, 1 inch in the y-direction,and 0.75 inches in the z-direction. In further embodiments, the body maybe approximately 5 inches in the x-direction, 1.1875 inches in they-direction, and 1.25 inches in the z-direction. In a furtherembodiment, the body may be approximately 5 inches in the x-direction,1.1875 inches in the y-direction, and 1 inch in the z-direction.

The body of the golf putter head may be manufactured out of any suitablematerial. It will be understood that materials and compositions may varyto affect characteristics of the putter, such as weight and durability,and materials described in the embodiments herein are not meant to limitthe scope of this disclosure. In some embodiments, the body includes analuminum alloy. In a preferred embodiment, the body is manufactured atleast in part of 6061 aluminum alloy. The material making up the bodymay include other metals and metal alloys, for example steel, iron, ortitanium. In some embodiments, the golf putter head may comprisestainless steel, for example, 303 stainless steel and 304 stainlesssteel, as well as other types of stainless steel. Additionally, oralternatively, the body may include non-metallic material as well, forexample carbon-based materials or plastics, for example graphite andpolyethylene, or other materials. In some embodiments, it may bepreferable that the materials used in the body of the head do notexhibit magnetic properties.

The golf putter head 100 may include a material configured to absorb andredistribute a portion of the force that acts on the head when the headcontacts a golf ball. Such material may be different from the materialcomprising the body of the head and may comprise an insert 140configured to be placed in or on the golf putter head. Referring toFIGS. 1-8, the insert 140 includes a first material 142 and a shockabsorbing element 144.

The first material 142 may include an elastomeric material. In someembodiments, the first material 142 includes a silicone elastomer, forexample polyvinyl siloxane. The first material may be one material or itmay include multiple materials. The first material 142 may be a solid orit may be a semi-solid, for example a hydrogel, xerogel, or organogel.In some embodiments, the first material 142 may be an adhesive. In someembodiments, the first material 142 may include an epoxy resin. Othersuitable materials may be used to comprise the first material 142, suchas, but not limited to, plastics, rubbers, and liquids. In someembodiments, it may be preferable that the first material 142 has asolid or a semi-solid consistency such that it does not leak aftermanufacture or during use. After insertion into the cavity 130 or duringuse, the first material 142 may be in a solid state. Alternatively, thefirst material 142 may remain in a semi-solid, gelatinous, or viscousstate without solidifying completely.

Referring still to FIGS. 1-8, the first material 142 may be disposedwithin the cavity 130 in the body 110. The first material 142 may be theonly material comprising insert 140, or it may be a portion of theinsert 140. The first material 142 may have a fixed volume such that itcompletely fills the cavity 130.

The insert 140 may further include a shock absorbing element 144. Theinsert 140 may comprise only the shock absorbing element 144.Alternatively, the insert 140 may include at least the shock absorbingelement 144 and the first material 142. In some embodiments, the shockabsorbing element 144 may be partially or entirely suspended, embedded,or encapsulated in the first material 142. The shock absorbing element144 may be disposed in various locations inside the cavity 130. Forexample, it may be centered within the cavity along the x-, y-, and/orz-directions. In some embodiments, the shock absorbing element 144 maycontact the inner surface 114 or the cover 124. Alternatively, it may bepositioned a distance away from any portion of the body 110.

In some embodiments, the shock absorbing material may comprise amagnetic element, for example a rare-earth magnetic element. Suitablemagnets may include neodymium and samarium-cobalt. It will be understoodthat other magnetic elements may be used, as well as combinations ofmagnetic elements, and the examples above are not limiting. Theproperties of a magnetic element may be advantageous for increasingshock absorption. The magnetic attraction and resistance within portionof the shock absorbing material may dampen and improve the physicaltransmission of force from contacting a golf ball. Neodymium,specifically, allows for very strong magnetic properties in relativelysmall pieces, thus allowing more magnetic elements to with strongermagnetism to reside in a particular volume.

The shock absorbing element 144 may be manufactured to have variousshapes and dimensions. The shock absorbing element 144 may be a spheroidor a polyhedron. In some embodiments, the shock absorbing element 144may be a rectangular prism. Referring to FIGS. 1-8, the shock absorbingelement 144 of some embodiments may be spherical. As shown in theillustrative embodiments of FIGS. 12 and 13, the shock absorbing element144 may be a rectangular prism.

The insert 140 may include one or a plurality of shock absorbingelements 144. The plurality of shock absorbing elements 144 may beconfigured in various geometries, for example linear or radial.Referring to FIGS. 9A-10, the plurality of shock absorbing elements 144may be arranged in a straight line or in a lattice. Alternatively, theshock absorbing elements 144 may be disposed in the cavity 130 in arandom orientation. The quantity of shock absorbing elements 144 mayvary on the weight of the putter head and on the shock absorbingqualities desired. The insert 140 may include any suitable number ofshock absorbing elements, for example 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 separate shock absorbing elements.In some embodiments, more shock absorbing elements are possible, and theabove quantities serve as examples rather than limitations. The magneticproperties of at least some or all of the shock absorbing elements 144may improve the dampening of the force transmitted to the golf putterhead when the body 110 contacts the ball. The force may pass from someof the shock absorbing elements 144 top other shock absorbing elements144 and throughout the rest of the insert 140. In addition to physicallytransmitting force from one shock absorbing element 144 to an adjacentone through physical contact, a portion of the force may also beimparted through magnetic resistance between adjacent shock absorbingelements 144.

The shock absorbing element 144 may be manufactured to various sizes. Insome embodiments, a shock absorbing element 144 may be substantially thesame size as the cavity in at least one dimension. In other embodiments,the shock absorbing element 144 may have a length, a width, and a deptheach ranging from about 0.005 inches to about 6 inches. The dimensionsof length, width, and depth may be the same or different. In anotherembodiment, the diameter of the shock absorbing element 144 may rangefrom about 0.005 inches to about 2 inches. In another embodiment, theshock absorbing element 144 may range from about 0.1 inches to about 1inches. In a preferred embodiment, the shock absorbing element 144 has adiameter of about 0.25 inches. In some embodiments, the plurality ofshock absorbing elements 144 may all have the same shapes anddimensions. Alternatively, individual shock absorbing elements in theplurality may have different shapes, configurations, and size dimensionsfrom at least some of the other shock absorbing elements.

The plurality of shock absorbing elements 144 may be configured to havea material between them such that none of the shock absorbing elements144 contact any other shock absorbing elements 144. Alternatively, in apreferred embodiment, each shock absorbing element 144 contacts at leastone adjacent shock absorbing element.

A golf putter head as disclosed herein may engage with a golf club shaft(not shown). The shaft may be received in the shaft receptacle 128defined by, or, alternatively, disposed on, the external surface 112 ofthe body 110. The shaft may fixedly attach to the shaft receptacle 128.Various methods of securing are available, such as, but not limited to,mechanical fasteners, adhesives, or frictional interference fit. Anyshaft suitable for use with a gold club head may be used, and one shaftmay be interchangeable with another shaft.

Referring to the illustrative embodiment of FIGS. 9A-10, an embodimentof a golf putter head may include one or more rows of multiple sphericalshock absorbing elements 144. All of the shock absorbing elements 144 ineach row may be positioned such that their centers lie on the samelinear axis 146. When multiple rows are present, multiple linear axes146 may exist, where each linear axis 146 is parallel to each otherlinear axis 146. Each of the shock absorbing elements 144 may contact anadjacent shock absorbing element 144.

Referring to FIG. 10, in some embodiments, the insert 140 may includeonly one row of shock absorbing elements. Experimental data suggeststhat such an embodiment may be advantageous as it avoids difficultiesassociated with properly organizing a multiple adjacent rows, eachhaving a plurality of shock absorbing elements 144. In some experiments,use of multiple rows of shock absorbing elements led to lower durabilitylong-term durability of the first material 142, and, subsequently, theentire golf putter head. Similar results were observed when the quantityof shock absorbing elements 144 was too high and when the size of theshock absorbing elements 144 was too small. In a preferred embodiment,the insert 140 includes one row of a plurality of shock absorbingelements 144, wherein each shock absorbing element 144 contacts at leastone other adjacent shock absorbing element, where the diameter of eachshock absorbing element is approximately 0.25 inches, and where theplurality ranges from about 4 to about 12 shock absorbing elements 144.

The golf putter head may be manufactured in numerous ways. The insert140 may be prepared separately from the head 110 and then inserted intothe cavity 130 of the head 110. The first material 142 may be added to amold (not shown) such that the first material takes a desired shape. Oneor more shock absorbing elements 144 may be introduced onto or into thefirst material 142 while the first material is in the mold such that thefirst material 142 cures while contacting the shock absorbing element144. Alternatively, the shock absorbing element 144 may be contactedwith the first material 142 after the first material has partially orcompletely cured.

In an alternative manufacturing process, the insert 140 may be formedinside the cavity 130 by introducing the first material 142 into thecavity while the first material is in an uncured state and thenpermitting the first material to cure. A shock absorbing element 142 maybe placed in contact with the first material 142 in the cavity 130before the first material 142 cures, or the shock absorbing element 142may be contacted with the first material 142 after the first materialhas partially or completely cured.

With reference to FIGS. 11A-11G, in which like reference numerals referto like features in FIGS. 1-10, and in accordance with an alternativeembodiment, golf putter head 200 has a body 210 and an insert 140. Thebody 210 includes an outer surface 112, an inner surface 114, and acavity 130. The outer surface 112 may include a front face 116, a topface 118, a bottom face 120, and a side face 222. The body 210 of head200 may include a first front face 116 a and a second front face 116 bthat is parallel to the first front face 116 a. The body 220 may includea first side face 222 a and a second side face 222 b. The body 220 mayfurther include a striking surface 126. The striking surface 126 may bedisposed on the first front face 116 a or on the second front face 116b. In some embodiments the body 220 may include a two striking surfaces126, such that one of the two striking surfaces is on the first frontface 116 a and the second of the two striking surfaces is on the secondfront face 116 b. The outer surface 112 may further define a shaftreceptacle 128 configured to receive a golf club shaft (not shown). Thebody 210 may define a cavity 130 therein, the cavity being configured toreceive an insert 140.

In some embodiments, golf putter heads may be customizable forindividual users. As will be understood by skilled persons in the art,specific customizations are not limited to those described here. Golfputter heads may be colored, for example through a painting or ananodizing process. Additionally, heads may be engraved for design,comfort, or user preference.

The golf putter heads may be manufactured to meet differentrequirements, specifications, and personal preferences. Some elementsdescribed throughout this application may be altered or varied as tolocation, dimensions, materials, or other properties, and it will beunderstood that the present disclosure should not be limited to only theillustrative embodiments depicted herein. Referring to FIG. 14, forexample, the shaft receptacle 128 may be disposed substantiallyoff-center on the top surface 112 and be adjacent the back surface 122.It will be understood that other placements are possible (e.g., amirrored placement having the shaft receptacle 128 on the opposite sideof the top surface 112).

Furthermore, the golf putter head may be manufactured to have variousshapes. Referring to FIGS. 15A-15G, a golf putter head 300 is depictedhaving a non-uniformly shaped body 310 that takes a different form frombodies 110, 210 discussed throughout this application. Similarly, FIGS.16A16G illustrate a golf putter head 400 having a non-uniformly shapedbody 410 that is different from bodies 110, 210, 310. FIGS. 17A-17Gfurther illustrate another embodiment showing a golf putter head 500having a body 510. It will be understood that while specific golf putterhead shapes and sizes are disclosed herein, the application is notintended to be limited to only those particular shapes and sizesillustrated.

Without necessarily binding ourselves to a sole mechanism, it isbelieved that the embodiments described herein are advantageous to auser of the golf putter head because the presence of and the interactionof the insert 140 with the body 110, 210 improve control and accuracy ofa golf putt. When a golf ball is struck, numerous force vectors act onit causing it to travel in a particular direction and for a particulardistance. Depending on the mechanics of the contact of a golf club withthe ball, the ball may roll along the playing surface, it may slidealong the surface, or it may become airborne for a portion of thedistance traveled. Depending on the angles and magnitudes of the forcevectors acting on the ball, there may be more or less friction betweenthe playing surface and the exterior of the ball. This friction affectsthe distance and direction that the ball travels after being struck.When the ball is struck at an optimal loft angle, measured from thevertical with respect to the shaft of the golf club, the ball willremain as close to the ground as possible and will transition from asliding movement to a rolling movement faster. This provides for bettercontrol of the ball's travel distance and direction.

The frictional force between the green and the golf ball will normallyput the ball in a state of pure rolling after the bounce phase. If theputter has no loft, the golf ball will initially be in a combined stateof sliding and rolling before it finally ends up in a state of purerolling.

Research suggests that a putted ball performs more consistently when itis struck at a low loft angle, for example approximately 4 degrees ofloft. At the instant before the ball is struck from rest, it is sittingon the playing surface, for example slightly below the top surface of alayer of grass. When the ball is struck properly, it lifts off thesurface for a part of its total travel distance. For example, in acommon putting scenario where the desired travel distance isapproximately ten feet, when the ball is struck at a 4 degree loftangle, it is lifted up at a height of about 0.050″ to about 0.100″ tonear the top of the grass. By raising the ball with the 4 degrees loft,the ball is not driven through the grass, avoiding unexpected anddifficult-to-control interference from the grass blades that result inbounces. An unwanted bounce may cause inconsistency with distancecontrol.

When the ball is struck, the striking force may apply a back spin to theball. The angle of back spin in the above exemplary scenario can rangefrom about 0 degrees to about 10 degrees. The lower the angle of backspin, the more control a player has over the ball. With minimalback-spin, the ball will transition from a sliding motion to a rollingmotion earlier in its total travel distance, resulting in less slidingand more rolling. Experimental results have shown that at least someback-spin force will likely be applied to the ball. In the exemplaryscenario of the ten-foot putt described above, the ball would notcomplete the transition from a sliding movement to a rolling movementuntil about two inches from the starting point of impact.

As the ball moves along the surface, and/or through blades of grass, theball and the surface have a friction force acting between them. Thisfriction force increases the forward spin rate of the ball until theball completes the transition from sliding movement to rolling movementand attains a “pure roll” state. Pure roll is achieved when thecircumference velocity of the ball (inches/second) is equal to theforward velocity of the ball (inches/second). When this distancetraveled is equal to the circumference of the ball, the ball is in pureroll. For a 1.68″ diameter golf ball, this number is 1.319″ forwardmovement that equals 1.319″ circumference rotation through 90 degrees.

If a golf ball is struck at an excessively-high loft angle, it willslide longer than optimal and will have a tendency to bounce. Thiscauses directional control and distance control to suffer. Anoptimally-struck ball will slide from about 14% to about 20% of thetotal distance that it travels. Conversely, it will be in pure roll fromabout 86% to about 80% of the distance traveled. It will be understoodthat characteristics of the ball travel distance and direction may varydepending on the skill of the golfer, the golf club, the golf ball, theplaying terrain, and any other factors that may affect golf balldynamics, for example, but not limited to, atmospheric pressure andhumidity.

The physics associated with striking the ball and how the ball travelsaffect the distance and direction in which the ball travels. In general,both the ball and the surface on which it rolls become slightlydeformed. This is the source of the retarding force that acts on theball. The force due to the deformed surface will be distributed over thecontact area and, in general, will be equivalent to a single force and acouple acting on the ball. This force and couple are, in turn,equivalent to a single force acting at the point on the ball's surfacewhere the resulting moment is equal to that of the couple. Thisequivalent force can be resolved into a component, n, normal to thesurface and a component, f, tangential to the surface. The position ofthe equivalent single contact point on the golf ball is given by p, theperpendicular distance between the normal component of the contact forceand the center of mass of the golf ball. The resulting equations ofmotion for a golf ball, with a moment of inertia I, rolling on a levelgreen will then be:

mα_(y)=−f   (1)

Iα _(x) =nρ−f R _(t)   (2)

where R_(t), the perpendicular distance between the tangential componentof the contact force, f, and the center of mass of the golf ball, isgiven by:

$\begin{matrix}{R_{t} = \left( {R^{2} - \rho^{2}} \right)^{\frac{1}{2}}} & (3)\end{matrix}$

Typically ρ<<R and the approximation that R_(t)=R will be used in theanalysis. The constraint of rolling will be given by:

α_(y)=−α_(x)R   (4)

Solving the equations (1), (2), and (4) above yields acceleration basedon:

α_(y)=−( 5/7)ρ_(g) g   (5)

where ρ_(g)=(ρ/R).

Experimental measurements of a golf ball rolling on a green haveindicated that there is a dependence of the deceleration of a golf ballon its speed, with the retarding force increasing at lower speeds.However, the dependence was found to be small, i.e., a 10% variationover a 14 ft (4.3 m) putt (1ft=0.3048 m), and the golf ball'sdeceleration, and therefore the value of ρ_(g) will be taken to beconstant. In the case of a relatively hard golf ball rolling on acompliant green, the value of ρ_(g) would be expected to be primarilydetermined by the firmness of the green and the condition of the grasssurface. In golf, one refers to the speed of the green, with a fastgreen being one where the ball rolls a relatively long distance beforecorning to rest. The speed of a green will be directly related to thedeceleration of the golf ball and will, therefore, be a measure of thevalue of ρ_(g). The speed of a green is typically measured by a devicecalled a stimpmeter, which is an inclined plane with a V-groove runningdown its center. Experiments have shown that the initial speed of a golfball when it leaves the end of a stimpmeter is 1.83 m/s. For what wouldbe considered a very fast green the ball rolls, after leaving the end ofthe stimpmeter, a distance of approximately 12 ft (3.66 m). For whatwould be considered a very slow green the ball rolls a distance of onlyapproximately 4 ft (1.22 m). Using the speed of the golf ball as itleaves the stimpmeter, the above extreme roll distances, and theacceleration of the golf ball as given by the equation (5) above, therange of values for ρ_(g) with golf greens can be found. The result isthat for golf balls rolling on golf greens 0.065<ρ_(g)<0.196, with anaverage value of 0.131.

The physics associated with putting a ball on a sloped surface differfrom the above. Additional physics and mechanics information is locatedin Appendix A of this application.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with the variousembodiments of the various figures, it will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodimentsdescribed above without departing from the broad inventive conceptthereof. It is understood, therefore, that this disclosure is notlimited to the particular embodiments disclosed, and it is intended tocover modifications within the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure as defined by the claims.

Features of the disclosure that are described above in the context ofseparate embodiments may be provided in combination in a singleembodiment. Conversely, various features of the disclosure that aredescribed in the context of a single embodiment may also be providedseparately or in any sub-combination. Finally, while an embodiment maybe described as part of a series of steps or part of a more generalstructure, each said step may also be considered an independentembodiment in itself, combinable with others.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as ashorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and eachseparate value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context.

1. A golf putter for putting a golf ball on a putting green, the golfputter having a golf putter head, the golf putter head, comprising: abody having an external surface, an internal surface, and a cavitydefined by the internal surface, the external surface having a frontside configured to contact the golf ball and a top side configured toreceive a shaft; and an insert configured to be disposed within thecavity of the body, the insert having a first material and a shockabsorbing element at least partially encapsulated within the firstmaterial, the first material comprising an elastomer, and the shockabsorbing element having a magnet, wherein the front side forms a loftangle of 10 degrees or less measured from vertical relative to theputting green.
 2. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the first materialcomprises polyvinyl siloxane.
 3. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein theshock absorbing element comprises neodymium.
 4. The golf putter of claim1, wherein the insert includes a plurality of spherical shock absorbingelements.
 5. The golf putter of claim 4, wherein each shock absorbingelement of the plurality of shock absorbing elements contacts at leastone other adjacent shock absorbing element.
 6. The golf putter of claim4, wherein the plurality of shock absorbing elements is organized suchthat all of the shock absorbing elements lie on the same linear axis. 7.The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the shock absorbing element has adiameter of from about 0.05 inches to about 2 inches.
 8. The golf putterof claim 7, wherein the shock absorbing element has a diameter of fromabout 0.1 inches to about 1 inches.
 9. The golf putter of claim 8,wherein the shock absorbing element has a diameter of about 0.25 inches.10. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the body includes an opening onthe top side, the opening extending through the body and into thecavity, such that the cavity is in fluid communication with the externalsurface of the body.
 11. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the bodyincludes an opening on the front side, the opening extending through thebody and into the cavity, such that the cavity is in fluid communicationwith the external surface of the body.
 12. A golf putter for putting agolf ball on a putting green, the golf putter comprising: a body havingan external surface, an internal surface, and a receptacle configured toreceive and fixedly secure a shaft, the external surface further havinga striking surface configured to contact the ball; a cavity defined bythe internal surface, the cavity having an opening extending through thebody to the external surface, such that the opening is defined by theinternal surface and the external surface; a first material having anepoxy disposed within the cavity; a second material having a magnet, thesecond material being disposed within the cavity and at least partiallywithin the first material; and a cover configured to sealably engage thebody such that the opening in the cavity is closed, wherein the strikingsurface forms a loft angle of 10 degrees or less measured from verticalrelative to the putting green.
 13. The golf putter of claim 12, whereinthe second material includes a plurality of spheroid units, eachspherical unit being generally the same size and shape as any otherspherical unit.
 14. The golf putter of claim 13, wherein each spheroidunit of the plurality of spheroid units contacts at least one otherspheroid unit.
 15. (canceled)
 16. The golf putter of claim 12, furthercomprising a third material disposed within the cavity and at leastpartially adjacent the first material and the second material.
 17. Thegolf putter of claim 13, wherein the spheroid unit has an averagediameter of from about 0.1 inches to about 1 inches.
 18. The golf putterof claim 17, wherein the spheroid unit has an average diameter of about0.25 inches.
 19. The golf putter of claim 12, further comprising a shafthaving a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a handle,and the proximal end being configured to engage with the receptacle onthe body.
 20. A method of manufacturing a golf putter head for putting agolf ball on a putting green, the method comprising: positioning a golfputter head body having a cavity therein such that at least a portion ofthe cavity is open and extends through the golf putter head body;introducing into the cavity a first material; introducing into thecavity a second material that is different from the first material, thesecond material having a magnet, such that the first material at leastpartially surrounds the second material; and sealing the cavity suchthat the first material and the second material are secured within thecavity, wherein the golf putter head body includes a striking surfaceconfigured to contact the golf ball during a putt, the striking surfacehaving a loft angle of 10 degrees or less measured from verticalrelative to the putting green.